System and method for thermal compression therapy

Abstract

A method for providing a combined DVT and compression therapy to a patient is provided. The method includes providing a control unit configured to condition heat transfer fluid and to selectively provide a compressed gas, providing a thermal compression device that is mountable to a select portion of the patient, and programming the control unit to supply heat transfer fluid to the thermal compression device and to supply compressed gas to the thermal compression device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for addressing deep-vein-thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression therapy, the system comprising:
 a control unit adapted to thermally condition a heat-transfer liquid to a predetermined temperature and to provide compressed gas at one or more predetermined pressures; 
 a thermal therapy pad adapted for the flow of the heat-transfer liquid there through and being coupled to the control unit; 
 a compression therapy device having a bladder and adapted to be disposed outwardly of the thermal therapy pad and being coupled to the control unit for receiving at least a portion of the compressed gas to fill the bladder and adapted to compress the thermal therapy pad against a first portion of a first extremity of the patient; 
 a first DVT compression device coupled to the control unit and adapted to receive a first pulse of compressed gas from the control unit, the first DVT compression device adapted for securement to and compression of a second portion of the first extremity of the patient; 
 a second DVT compression device coupled to the control unit and adapted to receive a second pulse of compressed gas from the control unit, the second DVT compression device adapted for securement to and compression of a portion of a second extremity of the patient; 
 wherein the control unit automatically directs the first pulse only when the compressed gas is not being applied to the compression therapy device. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal therapy pad and the compression therapy device are integrated into a single device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein compressed gas is provided to the first DVT compression device during the first pulse for a user-specified length of time and compressed gas is provided to the second DVT compression device during the second pulse for a user-specified length of time. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted to provide the compressed gas to the compression therapy device, the first DVT compression device, and the second DVT compression device at one or more user-specified pressures. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted to cycle through the following:
 provide a pulse of compressed gas to a first bladder of the compression therapy device; 
 provide a pulse of compressed as to a second bladder of the compression therapy device; 
 provide a pulse of compressed gas to a third bladder of the compression therapy device. 
 
     
     
       6. A method for addressing aspects of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression applied to the patient, the method comprising:
 providing a control unit adapted to thermally condition a heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a range of about 37° F. and about 105° F., and adapted to provide compressed gas at a pressure of at least 25 mmHg greater than an ambient atmospheric pressure; 
 providing a thermal compression device for securement to the patient and adapted to receive at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid and at least a portion of the compressed gas from the control unit; 
 providing first and second DVT compression devices for securement to the patient, each being adapted to receive at least a portion of the compressed gas from the control unit; 
 coupling the thermal compression device, the first DVT compression device, and the second DVT compression device to the control unit; and 
 programming the control unit to automatically coordinate the distribution of the compressed gas between the thermal compression device and the first and the second DVT compression devices so that the thermal compression device does not receive compressed gas at the same time the first DVT compression device receives compressed gas. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and the second DVT compression devices are secured to select appendages of the patient. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising monitoring a condition of the patient in at least partial dependence on the compressed gas being provided to the thermal compression device. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the compressed gas provided to the thermal compression device is varied based on the condition monitored. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is heated from about 49° F. to about 105° F. and applied to a skin area of the patient. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is cooled from about 105° F. to about 49° F. and applied to a skin area of the patient. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat transfer fluid is cooled from an ambient temperature of about 77° F. to a temperature of about 37° F. within a 90 minute period. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the control unit is adapted to provide the compressed gas at a pressure in the range of about 0 to about 120 mm Hg. 
     
     
       14. A method for addressing aspects of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression applied to the patient, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of compression devices for securement to the patient and adapted to receive at least a portion of compressed gas from a control unit, wherein at least one of the compression devices is a thermal compressing device, and wherein the plurality of compression devices includes a first DVT compression device and a second DVT compression device for securement to the patient, each being adapted to receive at least a portion of the compressed gas from the control unit; 
 coupling the plurality compression device to the control unit; 
 programming the control unit to automatically coordinate the distribution of the compressed gas to the compression devices such that only one compression device is compressed at a time and the compression alternates between compression devices; and 
 programming the control unit to automatically coordinate the distribution of the compressed as between the thermal compression device and the first DVT compression device and the second DVT compression device, so that the thermal compression device does not receive compressed gas at the same time the first DVT compression device receives compressed gas. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising coupling the first DVT compression device and the second DVT compression device to the control unit. 
     
     
       16. A method for addressing aspects of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression applied to the patient, the method comprising:
 automatically coordinating, by the control unit, distribution of compressed gas to compression devices such that only one compression device is compressed at a time and the compression alternates between the compression devices; and 
 automatically coordinating, by the control unit, a sequence of distribution of the compressed gas and a heat transfer fluid to a thermal compression device, 
 wherein a plurality of compression devices are secured to the patient, 
 wherein the plurality of compression devices are adapted to receive at least a portion of the compressed gas from the control unit, and 
 wherein the plurality of compression devices are coupled to the control unit. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of programming further comprises coordinating the sequence of the distribution of the compressed gas and the heat transfer fluid to the thermal compression device. 
     
     
       18. A method for addressing aspects of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression applied to the patient, the method comprising:
 automatically coordinating, by a control unit, distribution of compressed gas to compression devices such that only one compression device is compressed at a time and the compression alternates between the compression devices; and 
 automatically coordinating, by the control unit, distribution of a heat transfer fluid to a thermal compression device, 
 wherein a plurality of compression devices are secured to the patient, 
 wherein the plurality of compression devices are adapted to receive at least a portion of the compressed gas from the control unit, and 
 wherein the plurality of compression devices are coupled to the control unit.